Wrench



N. K. SMITH.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED 050.27, 1920.

Patented Nov. 2,2, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET i.v

N. K. SMITH.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.21. 1920.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l Vl

m5 m wf .M /M 4 N. K. SMITH.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.27. 1920.

1,897,884, Patenfd Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

- N. K. SMITH.

WRENCH. APPLICATION FILED DEC.27, 1920.

' Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

sillllTED STATES NELSON K. SMITH, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

WRENCH.

Application led December 27, 1920.

To all 107mm it may concern Be it known that I, b'nLsoN K. SMITH, a citizen or the United States, residing at Dallas, in the count;v of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IVrenches, of which the following is a speciiication.

Thisinvention relates to new and useful improvements in wrenches.

The object of the invention is to provide a wrench or" the sliding jaw type in which the movable jaw is arranged to rock to take a better bite on the object engaged. The particular object or the invention is to provide means for effecting an intermediate adjustment of the sliding after the same has been adjusted by sliding it into the tooth or notch nearest the size desired; thereby affording a much closer adjustment than can be obtained by the sliding adjustment of the j aw and producing a more etlicient and satisfactory tool.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other 'features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanving drawings, in which an example ot the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wrench constructed in accorcance with mj. invention,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

F ig. 3 is a detail showing the sliding jaw in section,

Fig. et is cross section on the line -e oi' Fig. 3,

Fig. of

F ig 6 is a perspective view oi' the rock-- ing pin,

Fig. 7 is a side elevation ot a modified form of wrench, v Fig. S is a Jfront elevation ot' the same,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, Y

Fig. 10 is a cross section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a. perspective view of the intermediate adjusting device for the wrench shown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive,

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of another form ci the wrench,

Fig. 13 is a iront elevation of the same,

Fig. 14 is a sectional det-ail of the same,

is a cross section on the line 5-5 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 433,207.

Fig. 15, is a cross section on the line 1515 of Fig. 14,

Fig. 16 is a side view of a swinging sliding jaw type of wrench equipped with my invention,

Fig. 17 is a rear elevation of the same,

Fig. 18 is a cross section on the line 1.8-18 of Fig. 17, and

Fig. 19 is a sectional detail of a square jaw wrench embodying the invention.

In the drawings the numeral designates a shank which may assume the Various shapes shown in the different iigures; the lower portion of the shank constituting a handle. The shank has vertical channels 11 on each side extending upwardly from its bottom about two-thirds ot its length, which is optional; thus forming lateral ribs 12 on each side of the iront edge and lat eral ribs 18 on each side ot the rear edge. This reduces the weight ot the'shank but gives reinforced front and rear edges which are desirable. In various figures of the drawings, except Fig. 19, I have shown the shank having a lixed j aw 14: at its upper end provided with teeth, which may,7 be disposed on an incline if desired. In Fig. 19 I have shown a square fixed jaw, which is especiallyY adapted for use on nuts and glands. It is pointed out that the jaws of the wrench may have different forms according to the purpose for which the wrench is designed.

In Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive I have shown a. sliding jaw which includes a yoke embracing the shank 10. The yoke is provided with teeth 16 which may be disposed on an incline. The jaw has a depending central Y arm 17 which is reduced in thickness and enters between the ears 18 oi a collar 19 which surrounds the shank. The collar 19 has a fulcrum boss 2O on its inner side disposed to engage notches 21 in spaced relation on the rear edge ot the shank. The collar is angular as is best shown in Fig. 5, and has its rear side 22 provided with serrations or otherwise roughened and is given a. slight upward and inward inclination; whereby the operator may more eiliciently engage his thumb and slide the jaw on the shank. The downward movement of the jaw is limited b v a shoulder' 23 on the rear of the shank. The toothed or serrated end 1G is regarded as the forward end of the jaw7 and the opposite end adjacent to the pivot'24 as the rear end of the jaw.

Yso as to rock or swing on said pin.

in contact with the rearf edge ot the shank as is best shown' in Fig. ln the lower end of the arm a vertical recess 23 receives a coiled spring 29 which bears against. a plunger 30. The plunger 30 is` forced downwardly so as to bear on a transverse web 31 connecting the lower ends of theears 18. The plunger 30 is located between the notch 17 and the front edge et the arm. The outer ends ot both plungers are rounded so as to ride on the surfaces which they engage. lt will be seen that the arm and yoke are pivoted so aste rock on the pin and swing relatively or collar 19 and also that the collar 19 is arranged to swing so as to cause the ulcrum boss 20 to ride out of one notch 21 and into the nent one. The function of the plunger 27 is to swing theyoke away trom the shank 10 and thus draw the rear side of said. yoke into contact with the rear edge ot the shank and also to hold the boss 2O in the notches 21.

The pin 2d has an angular recess 32 having substantially the saine width as the front edge of the shank as is best shown in Fig. An adjusting wedge or key 33 has a head at its lower end provided with a linger rip and rearwardly extending lingers 36, which lingers are shouldered so'as to embrace the ribs 12 and engage in the chan- O ze ' nels 11, rlhe wedge has a-vertical central tongue 37 engaging in the vertical groove 38 in the front edge of the shank, whereby the wedge may be slid vertically and is held against lateral displacement. At its upper vso end the wedge has a stud 39 projecting outwardly into a vertical groove Ll() in the inner face or edge of the arm 17, whereby the upward and downward movement and particularly the latter, is limited. That side of the wedge engaging with the edge of the shank is perpendicular while the iront side is inclined, and engages in the recess 32 of the pin 2K1-, y y

By inclining the teeth of the-jaws it is obvious that when a roundV article such as a pipe is engaged, said teeth will more readily bite into the pipe` when the shank ofthe wrench is given a slight rotative movement. This may be accentuated by disposing the teeth 16 at a slightly different inclination from that ot the teeth of the 14C. In using the wrench the jaw 14E is engaged over or around the article to be gripped, and the sliding jaw is slid'toward said article until the teeth 16 engage the same. rlhe adjustment of the sliding jaw ordinarily is controlled by the relation of the notches 21 and it frequently happens that the teeth 16 cannot be brought into close enough engagement with the article because the last notch into whichv the boss 2O may be moved causes the jaw to be positioned too far from the article which it is desired to grip. It is in such instances that my improvement is of the greatest value. W hen this occurs it is merely necessary to push the wedge 33 toward the jaws. It will be seen that the pin 24 is located below the boss 20 and consequently when the wedge is moved upwardly said pin will be displaced outwardly or away from the shank, whereby the sliding jaw will be fulcrumed on the boss 2O and the arm-and yoke swung upwardly so that the teeth 16 will bite into the article which it is desired to grip. During this movement the arm 17 may undergo an individual swinging movement and the plunger 30 acts to keep the parts in proper relation and maintain the bite on the article. lt will be seen that a considerable intermediate adjustment may be had by means of the wedge 33. 1t is alsopointed out that as the collar` and cars are swung upward the inner edge of the arm 17 is swung toward the shank so that the groove 410 assumes a more nearly perpendicular position. Owing to the liat surface ot the recess 32 and the inclination oit the web, the parts will remain at the intermediate adjustment which is made. The wrench may be instantly released by engaging the linger grip 35 and pulling the wedge downwardly. The jaw may be slid downwardly by engaging the serrations 22 with the thumb and merely pulling the jaw away :from the jaw le.

It will be seen that the arm 17 is at all times tree to rock on the pin 24 and a better grip may thus be had on the article. It is also pointed out that before the wedge 33 is brought into use the arm will usually be displaced toward the shank and thus the adjustment of the wedge will have an immediate eilect which will result in an instantaneous action. lt is also pointed out that the plunger 3G tends to hold the ears in position when the arm 17 is swung toward the shank and prevents play. The form of wrench which has been described is eX- treinely convenient and may be easily manipulated with one hand. The jaw may be slid up and down by merely pushing on the same and the wedge 33 is operated as easily.

lt is obvious that the invention may be carried eut in numerous ways and various constructions may be evolved for eli'ecting the intermediate adjustment. In Figs'. 7 to 11 inclusive l have shown one of these modiiied forms in which the wedge is omitted and an eccentric 41 is placedy in the notch 17 The eccentric has trunnions 42 pivoted in the ears 18. The lower end of the arm 17 is reduced at 17a so as to be received in a bracket 43 which extends radially `t'roin the eccentric with relation to its trunnions and carries a thumb plate 44 which latter swings over the front edges ot the ears 18.- The web 31 is slotted at 45 to receive the bracket when the latter is swung downward, the webvprojecting through the bracket and supporting the plunger 30. The front edge ot the shank 10 is smooth. The displacement of the sliding jaws for the intermediate adjustment is exactly the same as where the wedge is used. By placing' the thumb on the plate 44 and swinging the bracket 43 upwardly, the eccentric 41 is rocked over against the front edee of the shank 10 whereby the jaw is swung on the boss 20 and displacecL upwardly as well as arcuately. The parts are released by swinging the bracket downward to its normal poSition.

In Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive I have shown another form which is somewhat similar to the iirst form described and which employs a wedge 33 substantially the same as the wedge This wedge has a tongue 37 engaging in a. groove 3S in the shank, and is also provided atits upper end with a stud 39 engaging in a. groove 40 in the arm 17. In this torni the collar 19 has depending ears 18 ot a slightly different shape from the ears 1S and connected at their lower ends by an arcuate web 31. In place of the pin 24, a. rounded boss 4G is provided at the lower end of the arm and a pin 47 in concentric relation to said boss passes therethrough and engages in the ears 18. The boss rests in the arcuate web 31" as is shown in Fig. 14. The wedge 83 engages the inner portion of the web instead of engaging the pin and is given a curved face instead of a straight tace.. The action however is just the same, because when the wedge is pushed upward the sliding jaw is swung arcuately and upwardly, being displaced trom the shank by means of the web. The other parts ot' the wrench are exactly the same as in the other form. This torm while operative is not as desirable as the other forms which have been described.

The invention may be embodied in the well known overhanging sliding jaw type of wrench and such is shown in Figs. 167 17 and 1S. The shank 10 has a iixed jaw 14 at its upper end provided with the usual teeth. A sliding' jaw 51 overhangs the aw 14 and is provided with co-acting teeth in the usual manner. The j aw 51 has a depending body 52 extending through the yoke 4S and terminating in a tongue 53 at its lower end. The tongue [its in the upper slotted end of an arm 54 and these parts are pivoted together by a transverse pin 55. A spring pressed plunger 56 is mounted in the jaw 14 and projects from the rear side thereof so as to bear against the body 52 and tends to force said body away from the jaw and to swing the yoke 48 downwardly.

A collar 57 embraces the shank 16 and also receives the arm 54. This collar has a fulcrurn boss 20 engaging the notches 21 and carries a transverse rocking pin 24 having an angular re'cess 32. The pin is conlined in a notch 5S in the arm. A wedge 59 engages in a groove 60 in the rear space of the shank and the arm 54 is recessed to receive said wedge. A spring pressed plunger 61 mounted in the lower portion of the arm engages notches G2 in the adjacent tare of the wedge. The wedge has an out turned linger grip 63 at its lower end. The operation of the wedge is opposite from that described in connection with the other forms ot wrenches. The jaw 51 is adjusted with relation to the jaw 14 by sliding the collar 57 up and down the shank 10, the yoke 48 remaining relatively stationary. By reason of the swinging yoke 4S and the pivoted joint between the body 52 and arm 54, the jaw may be slightly rocked to afford a better bite on the article to be gripped as is usual in this style ot wrenches. For effecting the intermediate adjustment, the user grasps the part G3 and pulls the wedge 59 downwardlj so that its inclined face slides through the recess 32 oi the pin. The pin being` above the fulcrum boss, it is obvious that the collar will be swung downwardly as well as arcuately thus pulling the jaw 51 down onto the article to be grasped. It is necessary to employ the plunger 61 to hold the wedge in its adjusted position. The parts may be readily released by pushing theA wedge upwardly as is obvious. The same principle is involved and the relation ot the parts is merely reversed.

In Fig. 19 I have shown what is called a square or straight j aw 64 at the upper end of the shank 10 and a corresponding sliding jaw G5 on the shank. This type is often referred to as a cmonkey wrench. The jaw 65 has a yoke GG embracing the shank 10. A collar G7 has a fulcrum boss G8 engaging notches G9 on the rear edge of the shank. An arm has a rounded boss 71 at its lower end engaging in an arcuate notch 72 formed in a web 73 at the front of the collar. A coiled spring 74 is confined in the upper end ot the web and is seated in the arm above the boss 71. The arm at the rear of the boss has an inclined face 75 disposed to be engaged by a wedge 76 which has a. tongue 77 sliding in a groove 78 in the front end of the shank. The wedge has a stud 79 at its upper end sliding in a vertical groove 8O in the jaw. After the jaw 65 has been adjusted as close as possible to the work by sliding it on, the shank, a further or intermediate adjustment is often necessary. 'I'he arm STO is arranged to rock on the collar 73 and the sliding jaw is displaced upwardly and arcuately by sliding the wedge 76 upwardly, whereby an intermediate adjustment is had as in the other forms.

Various changes may be made in the dimensions and locations of the parts and various modifications and structural changes may be made within the scope of the invention and without departing from the spirit thereof.

l/'Vhat I claim, is: j

j l. In a wrench, a shankV having a liked jaw secured thereto, a sliding jaw fulcrumed on the shank, and adapted to be moved longitudinally of said shank, and means for swinging the jaw on its i'ulcrum toward the fixed jaw to effect an intermediate adjustment thereof and'positively holding the sliding jaw in the adjusted position.`

2. In a wrench, a shank having notches in one of its edges, a lixed jaw on the shank,

va sliding jawfhaving a ulcrum member to engage the notches or the shank and adapted to swing upon YJthe ulcrum member toward the lined jaw, and means for displacing one end `of the. sliding jaw from the shank, whereby said jaw is swung on its fulcrum member toward the fixed jaw.

3. In a'wrench, a shank having a fixed jaw at one end, a sliding jaw adjustable longitudinally of the shank, said sliding jaw being iulcrumed intermediate its 'forward `and rear ends on one edge of the shank, and

means engaging the sliding jaw at a point oli-set longitudinally of the shank from the ulcrum point of said jaw for displacing the jaw from the shank and swinging it on its fulcrum toward the fixed jaw and positively holding the sliding jaw in the adjusted position..

4;. VIn a wrench, a shank having a fixed jaw at one end, a collar surrounding the shank and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a 'ulcrum boss within the collar engaging one edge of the shank, a jaw member pivot-ed in the collar, and means engaging betweenthe edge of the shank opposite Afrom the fulcrum and the pivoted jaw member tor swinging the collar on its iulcrum and displacing the pivoted jaw member toward the tixed jaw.

5. In a wrench, a shank having a fixed jaw at one end, a collar surrounding the shank and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a ulcrum boss within the collar engaging one edge ofthe shank, a jaw member pivoted in the collar, means engaging between the edge of the shank opposite from the fulcrum and the pivoted jawl member for swinging the collar on its ulcrum and displacing the pivoted jaw member'toward the liked jaw, and a yokeconnecting the pivoted jaw member and the shank. j

6. In a wrench, a shank having a fixed jaw .at oney end, a collar surrounding the shank and adjustable longitudinally thereoi', a ulcrum boss within the collar engaging one edge of the shank, a jaw member pivoted in thecollar, and an adjustable element movable within the collar and engaging the edge of the shank opposite from that engaged by the fulcrum Vboss for swinging the collar on its ulcrum boss and moving the pivoted'jaw member into closer relation to the article gripped between the jaws.

7. In a wrench, a shank having a fixed jaw at one end, a collar surrounding the shank and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a 'ulcrum boss within the collar engaging one edgev oi the shank, a jaw member pivoted in the collar, and a wedge slidable on the shank for swinging'the collar on its 8. In a wrench, a shank provided with a longitudinal set of notches, a jaw carried by the shank, a member adapted to be moved longitudinally of the shank and provided with a ulcrum element to engage within a selected notch, said tulcrum element serving to normally hold the member against longitudinal movement with relation to the shank and also serving as a pivot joint upon which the member may be turned when said member is swung toward the said jaw, means to swing the member upon thev -ulcrum element toward the said jaw and to positively hold the same'in the adjusted position, and a co-acting jaw carried by said. member.

In testimony whereof I ailiX my signature.

NnLsoNk. sirrn. 

